The local history collection focuses on the people, places, and events of the Salinas area. The material is for in-library use only. To begin your search, visit the John Steinbeck Library at 350 Lincoln Street in Salinas, and ask the reference librarian for assistance, or call (831) 758-7311 and follow instructions to connect with the Information Desk.

Grade map for the City of Salinas, dated May 1878, St. John Cox, Surveyor.

Historical Salinas Newspapers

Historical newspapers are available at the Steinbeck Library. Most are on microfilm. Microfilm readers and printers are available at the John Steinbeck Library. If you don’t live in this area, contact your local public library for an inter-library loan of the Salinas Californian from the California State Library for issues published between September 1, 1945 through March 3, 1990. For additional research services contact the Monterey County Genealogical Society or Books We Own, both of which are listed in the list of Websites for Salinas History.

The Town

Download a Short Short History (1930-2009) of the town known for its California Rodeo, its International Airshow, and its unforgettable teller of tales, John Steinbeck.

The Library

Follow the chronology of the beloved Salinas Public Library built with the help of Andrew Carnegie, the Civic Club, and Salinas residents. This Salinas institution used extensively by the young John Steinbeck and was rescued from extinction by concerned citizens in 2005.

Vierra Interviews- Charles C. Vierra was a Moss Landing native and a school teacher at the Moss Landing Union Elementary School for 34 years. This audio interview was conducted by George Robinson at Mr. Vierra's home in Moss Landing on April 30, 1977. The interview is provided courtesy of the Vierra Family.

Florence Margaret Baker and Helen Baker Currie, granddaughters of I.J. Baker, the first Salinas mayor, share their recollections of early Salinas in this interview recorded on October 28, 1976 for the Salinas Public Library. The First Mayor’s House, a Salinas landmark, is now at 20 Station Place in Salinas.

Soil Map

Websites For Salinas History

American Memory: American Memory at the Library of Congress website has photographs of Salinas agriculture, the Salinas guayule project, and the Salinas Japanese Relocation Center.

Books We Own: A volunteer will search some local directories or the Salinas Californian. Choose "United States Resources", scroll down to Monterey County and choose your volunteer.

Obituary Lookups: A volunteer will check the microfilm copies of the local newspaper, the Salinas Californian, in Salinas, Monterey County, Calif. for obituaries from 1875 to date. Use the form provided to provide the full name of the deceased and the exact date of death.

Calisphere: Calisphere, the University of California’s free public gateway to primary resources like photographs.

Steinbeck House: Steinbeck House, run by the Valley Guild, a non-profit volunteer organization, whose purpose is to maintain and preserve the birthplace and boyhood home of John Steinbeck, and to create new revenues for charities in the Salinas Valley.

Latino American History: These videos are a production of WETA Washington, DC; Bosch and Co., Inc.; and Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB); in association with Independent Television Service (ITVS).

Gallery of Local History Photographs

These photographs are part of the Salinas Local History Collection. These images are provided for research, teaching and personal viewing. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate descriptions and respect copyrights. Reproduction of all images are subject to copyright law and Salinas Public Library Policy. If you have additional information concerning these images, please contact MaryJean Gamble at the Salinas Public Library.

Billy Emery Photographs

Billy Emery’s Photographs courtesy the Bustle and Emery Families - Photographer Billy Emery moved to Salinas in the Thirties and opened Emery’s Photo Studio at 110 Carr Street. He gave these photographs to the Salinas Public Library in 1979. His iconographic compositions display the inherent beauty in everyday scenes of Salinas and nearby areas.